The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have significantly impacted everyone’s lives in one way or another.

But for women, the effects have been particularly challenging, with a combination of increased roles both at home and work, and a struggling economy having a severe impact on their mental health.

Increased Roles for Women

According to the United Nations’ Policy Brief, “The Impact of COVID-19 on Women,” women have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic due to their increased roles at home.

With children attending school remotely and elderly parents or sick family members requiring care, women have had to take on additional responsibilities at home, leading to mental and physical exhaustion.

On top of this, women often work in industries that are more heavily impacted by the pandemic, such as hospitality and retail, leading to financial instability and stress.

And for women who have lost their jobs, they may be forced to take on even more responsibilities at home while also struggling with the stress of unemployment.

The Economic Recession

Due to the pandemic, the world is currently experiencing an economic recession. In the United States, the unemployment rate reached nearly 15% in April 2020, with women being disproportionately impacted.

In fact, according to the National Women’s Law Center, women lost 5.4 million jobs in the first ten months of the pandemic, with Black, Latina, and Indigenous women losing jobs at even higher rates than their white counterparts. This economic instability can lead to financial stress and anxiety, further impacting women’s mental health.

Domestic Violence

Another concerning issue during the pandemic has been a rise in domestic violence. With stay-at-home orders and social distancing measures in place, many women found themselves trapped with abusive partners.

In fact, the United Nations has reported a “shadow pandemic” of domestic violence, with rates increasing by as much as 30% in some countries. Domestic violence can lead to a host of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Women of Color

Women of color have been particularly impacted by the pandemic, with higher rates of unemployment, greater risk of exposure to the virus due to essential work, and both mental and physical healthcare disparities.

According to the American Psychological Association, women of color are less likely to have access to mental health treatment due to issues such as lack of insurance and mental health stigma.

Parenting

The pandemic has also impacted mothers who were already struggling with mental health issues prior to the pandemic.

A study published in JAMA Network Open found that mothers who reported depression and anxiety before the pandemic showed significant increases in these symptoms during the pandemic. The study also found that mothers were more likely to report changes in sleep patterns, feelings of loneliness, and difficulty functioning due to the pandemic’s stressors.

Working From Home

Working from home has become the new norm for many people during the pandemic, and this shift is likely to have lasting effects on the way we work. However, working from home can also have its own set of challenges.

For women, in particular, remote work means that the line between work and home life can become blurred, leading to even more stress and a lack of work-life balance.

Conclusion

The pandemic and subsequent economic recession have had a severe impact on everyone’s lives, but particularly on women’s mental health.

With increased roles at home, financial instability, domestic violence, and healthcare disparities, it is essential that we focus on supporting women during this challenging time.